Recent Sightings 29th May 2023
With a high tide for the morning count, a small group of Eider (pictured) ducklings was visible out on the Lough from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory. These sturdy little ducklings can be seen in crèches, usually guarded by a number of adults for safety against predators. Eiders lay about 4 – 6 eggs in a nest, so crèches can be groups of three or four different female’s ducklings!
Large numbers of Oystercatcher came into the Shingle Bank to roost next to the Wadermarsh, with some Black-tailed godwit alongside them. Oystercatcher have very distinctive, long, sturdy beaks, which they use for accessing their difficult prey of shellfish, mainly cockles and mussels.
House martins were also seen at the bottom of the reserve, over the Peninsula Saltmarsh. They are summer visitors, arriving in April and staying here until October time. They will return to the same nest sites and reuse old nests if they are still intact, and haven’t been moved into by something else!
Estuary - visible from the Brent Hide and the Limekiln Observatory
Shelduck 3, Lesser black-backed gull 4, Herring gull 35, Black-headed gull 28, Great-crested grebe 3, Eider 9 (12 ducklings), Greylag goose 2, Cormorant 2, Oystercatcher 20, Black-tailed godwit 4, Common tern 2
Main lake - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Greylag goose 2, Mute swan 2, Little grebe 2, Coot 1, Grey heron 1, Lesser black-backed gull 1, Mallard 18 (2 ducklings), Swallow 4, Black-headed gull 6, Hooded crow 1
Shingle Bank - visible from Sensory garden and Visitor Centre
Mallard 22, Gadwall 2, Greylag goose 2, Oystercatcher 690, Black-tailed godwit 44, Black-headed gull 168
Wadermarsh - visible from Wadermarsh lookout and Brent Hide
Black-tailed godwit 29, Black-headed gull 129, Moorhen 1, Blackbird, Dunnock
Freshwater Lagoon - visible from Brent Hide and Crannóg
Jackdaw 1, Mallard 10, Sedge warbler 2, Black-headed gull 105, Black-tailed godwit 80, Gadwall 3, Teal 1, Moorhen 3 (3 chicks)
Saline Lagoon - visible from Limekiln observatory
Shelduck 2 (9 ducklings), Black-headed gull 15, Jackdaw 1
Peninsula Saltmarsh
House martin 2, Swallow 2, Shelduck 3, Meadow pipit 2, Hooded crow 2, Reed bunting, Song thrush
Peninsula Field
Blackbird, Dunnock
Brickworks
Wren 2, Swallow 2, Jackdaw 2
Limestone Lake
Black-headed gull 12, Moorhen 1
Woodland
Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Robin, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Wood pigeon, Chaffinch, House martin, Blackbird, Goldcrest
